Washington Auto Insurance

With respect to auto insurance, Washington operates as a tort state. This simply means that any driver found at-fault in an accident must pay for personal injury and property damage expenses. For this reason, Washington auto insurance requires minimum liability coverage. In addition, Washington offers optional personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.

Washington Auto Insurance Rates

Washington residents ranked 19th in the country in a recent survey for amount of money spent on car insurance. According to the study, the average amount spent on auto insurance in Washington was $824.46. Washington motorists paid an average $520.98 for liability, $265.72 for collision, and $137.08 for comprehensive coverage.

When calculating Washington auto insurance rates, providers begin by assessing the cost to do business in the state as whole by considering such factors as legal fees and settlement costs, corporate tax rates, and the number of accidents occuring on Washington roads.

Next, insurance companies create risk categories for drivers based upon age, sex, location, marital status, driving record, and a number of other variables. They then divide up the cost of doing business in the state among all the drivers insured.

Washington Auto Insurance Coverage

Washington auto insurance carries a liability coverage requirement of 25/50/10. When causing an accident, this coverage pays out $25,000 per person injured, up to $50,000 total for all people who are injured, and $10,000 for property damage.

As an optional addition to Washington auto insurance, companies offer personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP pays for any medical expense above the liability level payout and can also help with funeral expenses, wage loss, and service loss expenses.

Finally, Washington auto insurance providers also offer collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist bodily injury protection, and uninsured motorist property damage coverage. Choosing the right combination and level of all these coverage types will depend on a number of personal factors such as a) your financial situation, b) the type of vehicle you driver (more expensive cars require more extensive coverage), and c) whether or not you own your car outright.

Washington Auto Insurance Companies

Rates vary from company to company, sometimes significantly. To make sure you're not overpaying for your auto insurance, it is generally recommended to shop around frequently.

More Resources for Washington Motorists

For more information on Washington auto insurance, contact the Washington Department of Insurance.

Washington Department of Insurance
The Central Building, Suite 650/MS: TB-03
810 3rd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 464–6263

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For other Washington Insurance Resources, See:

• Washington Health Insurance
• Washington Home Insurance

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